Regular Use of Painkiller May Slow Spinal Arthritis

Published Online: Saturday, October 1, 2005

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A study of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with ankylosing
spondylitis (AS), a form of arthritis
that targets the spine, shows that daily use
of the painkiller can significantly slow the
progression of the diseaseas opposed
to taking it on an "as-needed" basis.

The 2-year study started with 215
patients with AS. They were divided into
2 groups: those in one group were prescribed
twice-daily use of NSAIDs, while
those in the other group were told to take
the painkillers only when they experienced
pain or stiffness. The patients
were assessed at regular intervals
throughout the study, and x-rays were
taken of their spines at both the start and
the end of the study.

Overall, the researchers found significant
differences in x-ray evidence of disease
progression. Twice as many patients
who took NSAIDs only as needed
scored moderate-to-high levels of spinal
cord damage at the end of the study,
compared with patients who took the
NSAIDs every day. The investigators said
that the findings may prove important for
both the treatment of AS and the use of
NSAIDs. The study results appear in the
June issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.